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Red-flowering tropical bushes provide a lush getaway without your ever having to leave your garden. The vibrant red blooms add color to drab areas and help attract butterflies and hummingbirds to your yard. When choosing which red flowering tropical bush to plant, consider the size of the area and growing requirements of the shrub.

Evergreen Shrubs

The Mexican anise tree (Illicium mexicanum) is an evergreen shrub whose dark green broadleaf foliage has a glossy sheen. This tropical bush produces fragrant red blooms that appear in spring and last until fall. It grows in U. S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7 through 9 in full sun or partial shade. The variegated New Zealand Christmas tree (Metrosideros excelsa “Gala”) is an evergreen shrub growing in zones 9 through 11. This interesting plant grows in full sun and has gold-and-green variegated foliage and deep crimson blooms that cover the bush. The blooms contain an abundance of nectar, which attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. The variegated New Zealand Christmas tree reaches heights of about 5 to 6 feet, with a rounded form, and tolerates seacoast exposures.

Small Shrubs

“Santa Claus” fuchsia (Fuchsia hybrida “Santa Claus”) is a small tropical shrub reaching about 3 feet tall in USDA plant hardiness zones 7 through 9. It grows in a moundlike form with green foliage and vibrant red and white flowers that droop downward with a bell-like shape. In frost-free locations, this deciduous shrub grows as an evergreen. The tropical shrub known as “Compact” spicy jatropha (Jatropha integerrima “Compacta”) grows 4 to 6 feet tall and 3 to 5 feet wide. This small evergreen shrub grows in USDA zones 10 through 11 with bright green foliage and clusters of rosy-red blooms that appear at tips of the branches. Where not hardy, “Compact” grows well as an indoor plant.

Medium Shrubs

Ohia Lehua in Hawaii (Metrosideros collina “Springfire”) is an abundant bloomer with red flowers, which appear on a compact evergreen shrub. This tropical plant grows in USDA plant hardiness zones 9 through 11 to about 6 to 8 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide. Ohia Lehua in Hawaii is tolerant of coastal conditions, and its blooms attract hummingbirds and butterflies. A few cultivars of the hibiscus (Hibiscus spp.) produce blooms in stunningly red hues. For example, “President's Red” (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis “President's Red”) and “Red Darling” (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis “Red Darling”) are tropical, evergreen medium-sized shrubs growing in USDA zones 10 and 11. These sun-loving plants reach heights between 5 and 10 feet and produce large red blooms.

Large Shrubs

Super Red flowering maple (Abutilon x “Moned”) is a large tropical shrub or small tree that grows in USDA zones 9 through 11 in full or partial sunlight. This butterfly-attracting evergreen grows to about 8 to 12 feet tall and produces brilliant red flowers with a bell-like shape. The stems fall in an arching manner and are covered with green foliage similar in appearance to a maple leaf. “Kiwi Sheen” fuchsia (Fuchsia excorticata “Kiwi Sheen”) is a deciduous, tropical shrub with rose-red leaves that feature a metallic sheen. “Kiwi Sheen” grows in zones 8 through 10 to heights of about 10 feet. This hummingbird-attracting shrub has delicate dark burgundy blooms that appear in the spring and summer months. In frost-free areas, this deciduous plant is an evergreen.

About the Author

Amanda Flanigan began writing professionally in 2007. Flanigan has written for various publications, including WV Living and American Craft Council, and has published several eBooks on craft and garden-related subjects. Flanigan completed two writing courses at Pierpont Community and Technical College.